Vacancy Description

We are seeking a positive and highly motivated individual to join the dynamic, strongly performing and fast paced Development Management department at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Through managing a caseload of planning applications and pre-application enquiries, you will play an important role in shaping the attractive and varied townscapes and environments of the Borough.

In doing so, you’ll be working in a department and Planning Service that operates on an “open for business” approach, is well supported by the specialist heritage, tree, environmental, landscape and biodiversity officers, and enjoys good working relationships with the elected Members of the Council.

The culture of the Planning Service is one which supports staff as they develop, and provides great opportunities to progress their career within the Service as their skills and experience increases: there is a clear path from Planning Officer to Principal Planning Officer levels. More detail on this is provided in the documents below, particularly the “Progression Criteria” table, and is reflected through a number of recent internal promotions in the Service.

The ideal candidate will have experience of working for a planning consultancy or in a Development Management department, managing a varied workload and using their organisational, negotiating and planning skills to deliver high quality development.

A key part of the way that TWBC Planning Services works is the coordination and joint working between the Planning Policy and Development Management departments. Accordingly, some posts (including Planning Officer positions) can work in either (or both) departments: this is reflected in the Person Specifications and Job Descriptions for these posts.

At this time, we are recruiting solely to the Development Management department, although there would potentially be scope in the future for the successful candidate to undertake some work in Planning Policy. We are therefore requesting that candidates focus on the relevant Development Management requirements as part of their applications.

For more information about the role and person specification please see the documents below. For an informal discussion, please contact Peter Hockney (Development Manager) on 01892 554406.

Interviews: Thursday 5^th December 2019

How to apply

We only accept online applications. If you require access to a computer and/or the internet, you can use our facilities free of charge at the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Gateway Please follow the link below to submit your application.